Double-sided logic cage

Abstract

A double-sided central electronics complex (CEC) is provided for increasing the logic card density in a logic cage or CEC. Specifically, two logic cages or sub-enclosures are integrated, sharing one backplane card so that logic elements may be plugged into the CEC from both sides. The CEC is formed by unitary sheet metal side plates, top and bottom cast or guides and a single double-sided backplane assembly.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. In an enclosure for use in computing systems for operatively containing logic elements, said enclosure comprising a linked pair of back-to-back sub-enclosures, comprising a first sub-enclosure and a second sub-enclosure, each said sub-enclosure having a front open end for receiving said logic elements and a back closed end, said closed end of both said sub-enclosures being closed by a single intermediate double-sided backplane assembly; the improvement in sub-enclosure construction comprising a guide plate for guiding and supporting said logic elements, said guide plate having a plurality of equal-spaced, parallel guide slots along one surface, said plurality of guide slots being offset from a centerline of said one surface by a distance "B," said guide plate having means for attachment to said backplane assembly along a transverse edge of said guide plate, whereby two of said guide plates may be attached in respective end-to-end opposing relationship to said backplane assembly to create an offset distance "2B" between respective end-to-end aligned logic elements; and   the improvement in double-sided backplane assembly construction comprising a plurality of parallel rows of connectors aligned along one side of said backplane assembly at spaced intervals to receive logic elements guided by one of said two guide plates, and a plurality of rows of connectors aligned along the other side of said backplane assembly to receive logic elements guided by the other of said two guide plates, whereby rows of connectors on one side of said backplane assembly are offset from rows of connectors on the other side of said backplane assembly by a distance "2B."   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first pair of said guide plates affixed along a first edge of said backplane assembly and a second pair of said guide plates affixed along a second edge of said backplane assembly; and a pair of unitary side plates respectively affixed to lateral edges of said guide plates, to thereby form said enclosure. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said guide plates of said first pair and said guide plates of said second pair are each respectively horizontally aligned, with respective guide slots in spaced apart parallel guide plates in alignment in respective vertical planes.